It was, as always, a most eventful year.
Dal News published more than 450 stories throughout 2014, covering a wide variety of campus headlines and happenings.
In campus news, the university approved its new Strategic Direction, welcomed new chairs to its two governing bodies (Board and Senate) and celebrated five years of success in its sustainability programs, both academic and operational. The Ocean Sciences Building was named after business leader Harry Steele, and Dalhousie announced a new oceans partnership with Ben-Gurion University, one of Israel’s leading research universities. Many students and services alike had a new home on campus as LeMarchant Place opened its doors. Dalhousie graduated its first class from the Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick program, built on its partnerships in China and other countries around the world, and welcomed Chris Hadfield to campus for a special lecture made possible by students’ Movember fundraising prowess the year before.
Dal students excelled in 2014, too — and not just in Movember fundraising (though they were still very good at that as well). Brittany Graham, Microbiology & Immunology and Creative Writing student, became Dalhousie’s 89th Rhodes Scholar. Engineering student Alex Harding was a 3M National Student Fellow. The university celebrated the winners of its annual Impact Awards, including the prestigious Governors Awards. Dal hosted the first ever Three-Minute Thesis Eastern Regional Competition. And many in the Dal community embraced the summertime shivers and took part in the super popular ice bucket challenge (remember that?). There were exciting new opportunities for students too, from the new “sandbox” spaces announced for student entrepreneurs to new programs like Medical Sciences and Landscape Architecture.
In a year with many exciting Dal research stories, perhaps the most prestigious was the news that molecular and evolutionary biologist Ford Doolittle would receive the Herzberg Medal, becoming the first researcher in Atlantic Canada to ever receive NSERC’s highest honour. Dalhousie also welcomed two new Canada Research Chairs in 2014, and through the year Dal News covered a wide range of faculty research: breakthroughs in cancer and psoriasis; mapping historic Inuit trails through Canada’s Arctic; new technology offering a window into the inner ear; decline in swallow populations and global biodiversity; helping first-year students cope with perfectionism and depression, and many more.
And, of course, Dal’s impact stretched out into the community, whether it was a new partnership to expand the Math Circles outreach program or student work in support of the Halifax Seaport Farmers Market. Students raised funds for events like the Inside Ride and contributed their time to Community Day. Dalhousie opened its doors, as well, inviting the community to explore campus as part of Doors Open Halifax. Dal faculty and students together offered new supports, from the School of Social Work’s community clinic to the new Nova Scotia Project Design and Development Centre for entrepreneurs. Community impact was recognized, too, with Dal honourees at the Discovery Awards, the Progress Women of Excellence Awards, inductees into the Order of Nova Scotia and more.
As for the year’s most popular stories, they covered many of the topics above, from Rhodes to Hadfield. One of year's the most-read stories — an overview of restorative justice — was only published two weeks before the end of year, an indication of the wide interest in the issue regarding Facebook posts in the Faculty of Dentistry. Also popular were stories about snow closure procedures, honorary degree recipients and the elimination of cardio fees for students at Dalplex.
Most popular stories of 2014:
- Space stories: Hadfield inspires during Dal visit (April 7)
- What is restorative justice? (December 18)
- Converging Rhodes: Dal student’s inquisitive interests lead to Oxford (December 2)
- A "Place" to call home: LeMarchant Place opens its doors (September 4)
- Introducing Dal’s honorary degree recipients for Spring Convocation 2014 (April 16)
- Top 5 study spaces (February 26)
- Snow business (January 8)
- Students, kiss your cardio fees goodbye (August 20)
- Medical Sciences: A new degree option for undergrads (March 4)
- Is sitting killing us? (February 28)